Too much power??

[SeanDezart]

Sad to watch people chasing big bhp numbers and unable to appreciate them to the fullest !

Look at Castle Coombe and see how the lower powered S30s whipped the others - from an outsiders' view, there appears to be a scene in the UK where 'I've got the most BHP counts as the best' ! Look at the Skylines with 1000bhp and so on ! Other cars with 500+

Don't start, I'm not getting at you at all - you use yours.

So that was my reference to chasing big BHP numbers and your statement "clear and absolute proof that the entire concept passes you by" shows you are not a little obsessed by the subject. Please read as if there was more out there than the next 400m

 

[Russ]

I think the 8000bhp is purely for "just because we can" and for a ridiculous spectacle, pure entertainment of cars out of control.

It's just showboating, like monster trucks, entirely pointless but some people still like to watch them. I myself am most interested in the engineering involved in getting 8000bhp and how the engines just don't explode and kill everyone within ten miles.

They only do it just because they can

(BTW the only racing I watch is bikes around a track so I'm not biased, that's where it's at!!)

 

[Mr.F]

You guys have obviously no concept of what drag racing is about - this vid is amusing, but cars at this level are usually able to fully utilise their horsepower and produce quarter mile times in the four second bracket and terminal speeds in excess of 300 mph. John Force recently set a new NHRA record pass of 4.664 seconds @ 329.91 mph...
The vid is a bit of fun shot on a day when track prep looks barely adequate for fast street cars let alone these top professional monsters. I'm astounded that any of you think that someone would build a multi-thousand horsepower engine in a vehicle that has no traction "just because they can"!

 

[Tony 260Z]

It was like Drag meets Drift...

Personally I like all manner of motorsport. I still hope that one day my Z will be good at just one.

Any one!

 

[Russ]

I wasn't suggesting they did it just for this spectacle! That would be a waste (bit like F1 then). However I imagine something would be very different for their normal runs.

 

[SeanDezart]

Mike, they didn't set that vid up for fun - it must cost 1000s of dollars to run a car like that down a strip - once !

It just wasn't their day - track prep. or what and I and others were commentating on that video.

I added the comment that I feel sad for those (and it wasn't a ref. to drag racers) who have to have the most power - MR2s with 350bhp etc who can't appreciate what they have - too much power (as in the title of the thread).

These guys are pushing the boundaries and anyone should respect that but as in all motorsport, it doesn't always go as you want - eh Matt ?

 

[boomer]

NUCLEAR DRAG POWER*


8000hp?????????? Pussy...
Watch out, theyr'e comin' at ya http://nedra.com/


*Well most of our electric power in France is coming from nuclear plant, so basically an electric car is a nuclear one! No?

Look in the table, there is a 1972 Nuclear 240Z

 

[SKiddell]

Take off those blinkers and admit you had at least as much fun going around Castle Coombe without being timed !

Sean, sorry mate but after a year or so of debate you still don’t get it do you.

I loved going around Castle Coomb and felt that the car proved itself to be very quick, and unlike most cars we had more than enough grip to prevent us from spinning despite my poor driving -- and as you may have noticed I jump at the chance to do most track days (unfortunately most get cancelled through lack of interest) but

1. I couldn’t afford to do that on a regular basis -- Drag racing at the POD however is very affordable and accessible.
2. Track sessions are brutal on a car, tyres, brakes etc cost money
3. Track session are usually conducted with many cars on the track at once and driver ability is mixed, meaning accidents will happen, the end result is usually more expense.
4. I feel that I have more aptitude for the strip (yes it does require skill)
5. I am an engineer and as a result find a need to measure and quantify things as much as possible, the drag strip fits that bill and power/traction mods can be easily measured and results logged.

Don’t get me wrong, I had my data logging switched on during Japfest and could spout +ve, -ve and lateral G force figures at you all day long but it is more difficult to analyse and correlate 15 minutes of track data against 13 seconds (15 in your case) of strip data.



6. Finally I enjoy the camaraderie of the fire up lane; the amount of interest shown for the "old school" stuff is warming and the surprise factor (blimey that was quick) is a great leveller and fun.

 

[SeanDezart]

Sean, sorry mate but after a year or so of debate you still don’t get it do you.[/quote] Yes I do !

I know it takes skill to get a good time down the strip - why do you think (posted elsewhere) I said I'd probably get in to the 14s with mine ! I don't expect better 'cos I'm a novice - yes, I could win points for getting close to my dailled in time but I don't care for the drag challenge - I could never make enough events to win a spoon ! What counts for me (Jim, should I decide to accept this mission) is getting well into the Hall Of Fame !

Aren't leaping starts at the Pod hard on the car too ? And I accept what you say about more cars on the track and the likelihood of 'contact' - for me, that all adds to the andrenaline and if one practises anything other than polishing the car in the garage, one must accept a risk factor !

I feel I have more aptitude for the track and so I shall concentrate on making the most of track days both here and your side. None of these track days will tel me anything about the performance of the car (or even me ?) but I shall have fun and share the cameraderie I enjoy, as you do on the strips ! I'm not en engineer so that which you get out of your telemetry is a lot less important for me - horses for courses friend.

Do I get it ?

 

[Mr.G]

Horses for courses.

I think Skiddel does what he enjoys and what he enjoys is also what he is good at, the same goes for you Sean.

 

[SeanDezart]

Yeah.........except that I aint currently doing what I think I'm good at !

And, of course, as has been spelt out to me - I can't measure my progress at track days ! But then, maybe Skiddell doesn't get that - I don't give a rats' pube - what counts is having fun - full stop !

 

[zedhead260]

None of these track days will tel me anything about the performance of the car (or even me ?)

So exactly what was the point you was making on the other thread regarding the more powerful S30's at Japfest and the HSCC cars ??

 

[SeanDezart]

I fail to see the connection - it was simply a statement of fact, however :

just imagine how much better those cars could have gone with similar attention to set ups ?

The other point being just how well those HSCC cars do go when one compares them to their competitors - these are 2.4 engines using standard 240Z carbs !

I don't think that most people realise just how well developed those cars are - they think, set of good tyres, camshaft, roll cage and away we go !

They really are the cutting edge of current Z motorsport !

 

[SKiddell]

But then, maybe Skiddell doesn't get that

err sorry, just what dont I get.

these are 2.4 engines using standard 240Z carbs !

whilst the configuration may be the same, as you know, these are not just standard lumps as with all participants in the HSCC series and within the tight constraints of the rules, they have been breathed upon -- try a 2.4 that would show up a few supposedly well set up 2.8's on triples.

just imagine how much better those cars could have gone with similar attention to set ups ?

what makes you think that it was just a set-up issue at least one car had a credible setup, comparable to an HSCC car. Knowing how crap I am at circuit driving, I would have thought that if Matt had been driving on his own, without the extra weight of a passenger (not that I like pies) he would have been the quickest man on track. Quick car and moderate driver = moderate times, moderate car and quick driver = quick times, quick driver and quick car = forgone conclusion

what counts is having fun - full stop

and I do.

 

[zedhead260]

I fail to see the connection - it was simply a statement of fact

You were saying

Talking of competition, the fastest S30s at Japfest were at least 5 seconds off the pace of 'standard' HSCC cars !

So why make the comparison if it doesn't actually tell anybody anything ??

The other point being just how well those HSCC cars do go when one compares them to their competitors - these are 2.4 engines using standard 240Z carbs !

I don't recall you making another point regarding their competitors - you went on to say "it's all down to set-up" and commented on how early Z's are lighter than newer ones.

They really are the cutting edge of current Z motorsport !

isn't a 350Z current then ??

 

[zedhead260]

Arh, I understand now Rob. If one isn't a master at a subject, one doesn't have the right to comment upon said subject ? Do I subsribe to this narrow line of thinking ? Rollocks do I ! Since you've nothing better to do than be contrary (my kettle - your pot)

You said you'd put your money where your mouth is, so I think it's fair for me to assume you know what you are talking about. Are you saying you don't know ?

I'll give you something else to rant and 'tirade' about whilst you're waiting for your new engine ; well, the last magazine was great, superb read, well presented BUT late, no ?

I don't rant & tirade - back to pot & kettle
And you live in France, so it's bound to be late for you - glad you like though

 

[DJZ 60]

With all respect,what is , is what is. Is there any point in scrutinizing every
comment,every sentence,& every post?
The repeated use of 'QUOTES' & knitpicking in a kind of vendetta?
I THINK SEAN IS AN OUTSTANDING Z CLUB MEMBER,& HIS POST'S ARE BOTH,
INTERESTING & OPINION MAKING. IN FACT! HIS POST's ARE BETTER THAN
MINE ( but not as funny).
I LOVE THIS BLOKE! HE HAS MADE THE FORUM ACTIVE,& FOR THIS HE
DESERVES RESPECT,LOVE & Z BITS.
HE IS HUMAN,GENEROUS,KIND (ONE OF A KIND) & WILL GET ON THE TRACK WHENEVER HE CAN. FAST CARS ,SLOW CARS LIGHT CARS, & ALL THE
REST........THERE IS LIFE OUTSIDE OF HAVING A CAR.
I SAID THE ABOVE : Quote DJZ 60.

 

[SeanDezart]

try a 2.4 that would show up a few supposedly well set up 2.8's on triples.

That's just what did happen

what makes you think that it was just a set-up issue at least one car had a credible setup, comparable to an HSCC car.

Whose ?

Knowing how crap I am at circuit driving, I would have thought that if Matt had been driving on his own.............. he would have been the quickest man on track.

That's quite a statement Skiddy !

Quick car and moderate driver = moderate times, moderate car and quick driver = quick times, quick driver and quick car = forgone conclusion

Agreed - a new challenge for you, after hill-climbing that is ?

Rob,

Earlier (S30) Zs are lighter than later ones (280/300/250 etc) - clear now ?

Yes, I SHOULD have said S30 motorsport, and I SHOULD have said UK S30 motorsport - thanks ever so for pointing that out !

All in all, you have nothing new to say - you are becomming a pedantic bore, perhaps suffering from a dictionary suppository !

 

[SeanDezart]

Cheque in the post DJ.

 

[DJZ 60]

I'll send it back! If you use too many quotes! DJZ 'waz ere' Z 60.